Tulips, daffodils and crocuses should be planted now to make your spring garden fantasies come true

September 21, 2008|By Beth Botts, TRIBUNE REPORTER

Just as plants turn brown and shut down, just as frost hits and the heating season starts, it's time to plant spring flowers.

Huh? says the new gardener.

But it's true. October is when we start planting spring bulbs -- those onion-looking things that winter's dark magic will transform into next spring's heart-stirring crocuses, daffodils and tulips.

Here's what you need to know so your garden can be one of the ones that makes Chicagoans smile in March and April.

Loosen the soil: Wet soil rots bulbs, so their No. 1 need is excellent drainage. Don't even try to plant bulbs in very heavy, sticky clay. But marginal soil can be helped by digging in lots of compost, says Christian Curless, horticulturist for Colorblends (color blends.com), which sells bulbs in mixes of compatible kinds and colors. Paul Witry, general manager of Sid's Greenhouses in Palos Hills (sidsgreenhouses.com), recommends tilling in some coarse sand, such as torpedo sand, or fine pine bark mulch to create a coarser texture that lets water drain.

Find the sun: For their flowering mission, these plants need a good eight hours a day of sunlight. Some early bloomers, such as crocus, can be placed under the bare branches of a deciduous tree, because enough sun will filter through. But later on, when trees leaf out, those spots will be too shady for tulips and daffodils. They need to be out under the open sky.

Plant plenty: Large groups have oomph. A common mistake is to plant a single straggly strung-out row. "They just look a little forlorn," Curless says. For a bunch of bulbs, dig one wide hole. You can crowd them a bit closer than most packages suggest. A clever combination of colors can make a tapestry; commercial mixes, such as Colorblends, make this easier for beginners.

Bloom time: If you pick species and cultivars that bloom early, mid-season and late, you can have a show of flowers from late winter until the summer garden takes over. But bloom time is relative, Curless warns. Though early tulips dependably flower before late ones, the exact dates will vary depending on where they are planted and the spring weather -- which in Chicago changes from year to year, day to day and hour to hour.

The long green: After the blooms fade, the leaves must be left alone for weeks to months to fuel a new flower for next year. So think about what plant will come next or be alongside those leaves. Often bulbs are interplanted with perennials -- daffodils, for example, among daylilies, which have similar strappy foliage and bloom in summer. But big perennial leaves, such as hostas, can shade out bulb foliage and prevent flower formation.

Dig in: Use a trowel for a single bulb or a shovel to dig a wide hole for a bunch of bulbs. The bottom of the hole should be three times as deep as the bulb is wide -- so plant a 2-inch-wide daffodil bulb 6 inches deep. Mix organic bulb fertilizer with the soil in the bottom of the hole according to the package directions.

Pointy end up: That's the end from which the stem will grow. The flat end, where roots grow, goes down. Can't tell? Plant it sideways. "Bulbs are pretty smart," says Witry. "They want to grow. They will find their way out." Fill the hole with soil, water deeply and spread 2 inches of mulch on top for insulation.

Starter bulbs

Begin your planting with these basics:

Crocuses: These jaunty little charmers come up early, sometimes through a blanket of snow. The blooms last a week or so. Plant at least 25 or 50 together, 1 to 2 inches apart.

Daffodils: There are early, mid-season and late spring daffodils, though most kinds bloom in April in Chicago. In general, plant them about 3 inches apart.

Tulips: Chances for repeat blooms are best if you plant them in very well-drained soil with your drought-tolerant plants. Tulips come in many colors, shape variations and bloom times, but most are mid-season to late spring.

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How to choose some great bulbs

* For help choosing bulbs, check out the Bulb Bazaar sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. There will be a large selection and plenty of volunteers to give advice. Jill Selinger of the garden's education department will teach a class, "Bulbs for Beginners," from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 4. Cost: $37 (includes parking). Call 847-835-8261 or see chicago botanic.org/school.